LAHIRI, J. :- In these five appeals the appellants challenge the validity of Para. 15 of the West Bengal Rice Mills Control Order, 1949. The appellants are owners of Rice Mills in Baraset Sub-Division in the District of 24 Perganas and carry on the business of husking paddy. By an order, dated 12-10-1950, the Assistant Regional Controller of Procurement, Alipore, granted permits to the appellants restricting the quantity of paddy to be husked by them and by another order, dated 7-12-1950, he directed that the husking mill owners would be authorised to husk half of their previously permitted quantities upto 14-12-1950, and that no husking mill should be run after that date without obtaining further orders.

2. The appellants applied under Art.226 of the Constitution of India and obtained Rules upon the Assistant Regional Controller of Procurement, Alipore, requiring him to revoke his order, dated 7-12-1950, and to forbear from giving effect to the said order and also to show cause why a writ in the nature of a Mandamus should not issue directing the Assistant Regional Controller not to impose any restriction as regards the quantity of paddy to be husked by the appellants.

3. B